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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2020 May 13.
Published in final edited form as: Compr Physiol. 2016 Sep 15;6(4):1897–1934. doi: 10.1002/cphy.c150042

Table 3.

Summary of rodent studies exploring the link between the HPA axis and depression-like behavior. In general, manipulations that increase HPA axis tone promote depressive behaviors, whereas manipulations that limit HPA axis tone reduce or prevent them. FST = forced swim test; SPT = sucrose preference test; CRH = corticotropin releasing hormone; GC = glucocorticoid.

HPA manipulation Test Behavioral
Outcome
References
Increased CRH or GC signaling (Receptor agonist, transgenic mice) FST


SPT
↑ immobility


↓ sucrose intake
(137, 168, 381)


(181)
Chronic stress-induced increases in CRH and GC signaling (Homotypic or heterotypic stress paradigms) FST


SPT
↑ immobility


↓ sucrose intake
(1, 197, 271, 351, 352, 409, 534)


(197, 215, 347, 409, 534, 585, 586)
Reduced CRH or GC signaling during/after chronic stress (Receptor antagonists, adrenalectomy) FST


SPT
↓ immobility


↑ sucrose intake
(511, 567, 600)


(181, 599)